Site Library Library of Celtia
Search Articles:
Comorre the Cursed: The Bluebeard of Brittany?
Associated to Place: AncientWorlds > Celtia > Gaul > Armorica > Domnonée > articles -- by * Fedelm Cruithni (73 Articles), Social Article
The tale of Bluebeard is depicted in a series of frescoes in a chapel at St Nicolas de Bieuzy dedicated to St Tryphine, who was the historical wife of Comorre (also Conomor), King of Cerniw and Prince of Poher and Leon.

The story goes that Comorre wanted to be High King and waged war against his brother, Iona (Jonas), King of Domnonée. When Iona fell in battle, St. Gildas interceded and helped Comorre win the hand of his brother's widow, Tryphine, in marriage. This was an important alliance for Comorre, as she was also the daughter of Weroc, Count of Vannes.

According to the Chronicle of Fredegar, Comorre tried to kill Iona and Tryphine's son and heir, Judwal, who fled to Childebert's Gwynedd court. In spite of this little hitch, the couple apparently lived happily in Castel Finans, in Finistère.

Unfortunately for Tryphine, their story was not destined to have an "ever after" fairytale ending. Annoyed with the Vannetais for thwarting his ambitions, Comorre turned on his wife. She flew from the castle and hid in the Broceliande Forest. He eventually found her, gave her skull a good bashing and left her for dead.

St. Gildas found Tryphine and nursed her back to health. She founded a convent to which she retired after giving birth to a son. St. Samson and Childebert helped Judwal regain the kingship and he became High King of Domnonée.

The history of Comorre the Cursed and St. Tryphine varies from one source to the next and is difficult to untangle from the legendary tales. According to one legend, St Tryphine was decapitated and miraculously raised from the dead by St. Gildas. In Grander croniques (Nantes, 1531), Alain Bouchard writes that Comorre had already killed several wives before he married Tryphine.

More to come...

Courtyard

Posted May 26, 2008 - 18:27 , Last Edited: May 26, 2008 - 22:39











Copyright 2002-2008 AncientWorlds LLC | Code of Conduct and Terms of Service | Contact Us! | The AncientWorlds Staff